DRAFT OF NBS INSTUCTIONS ON APPLICATION OF THE FEDERAL STANDARD ASCII CODE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150040-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 3, 2002
• Sequence Number: 40
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 20172 /J R -04723A000100150040-6
NDUM FOR: Information Processing Coordinators
ft of NBS Instructions on Application of the
Federal Standard ASCII Code
1. A copy of the subject NBS draft instruction is attached for
view and comment. You should carefully consider its acceptability
for your future ADP activities.
2. The Federal Standard ASCII code is a 7-bit code with 128
assigned characters. Proposed future standards will extend this to 8-bits
and 236 possible characters. It is compatible with proposed international
standards but differs from the 8-bit extended binary-coded-decimal inter-
change code (EBCDIC) used in the IBM 360, RCA Spectra 70 and compatible
third generation computers. It is this difference which will require manu-
facturers to alter coding in future equipment, and users to make a gradual
transition.
3. The significance of this standard is its long range benefits in
ADP compatibility, including both data communications and data processing.
Although the effective date for the standard is I July 1969, this is only the
which a gradual and evolutionary transition Is to commence. The
provisions for transition seem practical and reasonable and do not require
draetic action or Interruption of operations. Waivers are provided for
unusual circumstances. The standard does not appear to create unique
problems for the Agency but will require a gradual, long term. future
transition with eventual conversion of some files and software.
4 It is proposed that the Agency reply to NBS recommend
acceptance and publication of the subject instruction as drafted. If there
are any special problems, exceptions, or other recommendations, it is
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 Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150040-6
CONFIDENTIA
your ADP operations and provide your conunentof by 25 September 1968.
you give serious consideration to the applicability of this
very important that they be registered at this time. It is requested that
Chief, Information Processing Staff
Office of Planning, Programming, and Budgeting
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